Brief:
T' FlisKits Nomad is a very unique 3-stage model rocket that fills t' gap in model rocketry that has been missin' for quite some time. Well, blow me down! Blimey! Ya scallywag! Blimey! As is, a three stage model is hard t' find, arrr, but they've hit t' target with t' Nomad, producin' a very cool and unique model that stands four feet tall and has one o' t' most unusual and innovative fin patterns you will ever see. Aye aye! Blimey! Arrr! Blimey! T' fins for t' 2nd stage and 3rd stage blend together, givin' t' model a deceivin' look o' a two stage rocket. Avast! Blimey! Ahoy! Blimey! Additionally, it uses a combo set o' motors, with 24mm for the first stage and 18mm for t' second stage and sustainer.

Construction:
T' kit comes in t' standard, colorful FlisKits package and includes more parts than I can mention! As a note, shiver me timbers, t' CR's are laser cut, black fiber paper and excellent quality. Blimey! All t' wraps actually fit perfectly and thar are many templates for t' model. Avast, ya bilge rat, me proud beauty! Moreover, it come with both streamers and a parachute so you can decide how you want t' sustainer t' deploy. Well, blow me down! Arrr! Finally, ya bilge rat, a very detailed and comprehensive set o' instructions, shiver me timbers, complete with illustrations, compliments t' kit.

Construction is complex, matey, as would be expected for a model o' this caliber, but it is extremely satisfyin' as t' detailed instruction manuals (there are two o' them) take you step-by-step through t' build with ease. Avast, me proud beauty! Boosters are built first, startin' with t' 1st stage. As with all FlisKits, shiver me timbers, matey, you need t' cut your own fins, shiver me timbers, which at least for me made it seem more like I was building rather than assemblin' - a nice touch. Ya scallywag! T' lower booster section went together fast and t' design o' t' kit has it set so each stage is used t' build the next - at least that's how I did it.

T' 2nd stage booster is probably t' most challenging, as it shoulders down to a narrower Bodytube for t' sustainer. Arrr! Moreover, me hearties, arrr, shiver me timbers, t' fins o' t' second stage are made t' 'blend in' with t' sustainer fins, me hearties, givin' t' model that cool two-stage look, then surprisin' them when t' third sustainer kicks in! I used t' First stage t' align fins on t' second and went from there. Make sure you fit t' fins flush for better glue contact as they conform t' t' shoulder area.

T' Sustainer is a very long model that is coupled in t' center. Additionally, shiver me timbers, t' Keelhaul®©™® shock cord exits t' model from t' center, arrr, which allows it t' recover and descend sideways, ya bilge rat, a good idea for keepin' t' fragile sustainer fins intact. T' sustainer fins are attached flush against t' 2nd stage booster. Avast, me proud beauty! The nosecone is made from a very high quality balsa and be finished first, sealing it with thin CA, shiver me timbers, arrr, then sandin' and preppin' it for paint. An 'eye' hook is used at t' base o' FlisKits nosecones and works well for recovery. Aye aye! Arrr! I also opted to use t' streamers on me model for recovery and once assembled, we moved t' the paint shop.

Finishing:
T' model was primed with several coats o' primer, then wet sanded until the finish be smooth. Blimey! White Krylon Glossy paint was sprayed over t' entire model, then we deviated from t' stock paint scheme. Avast, me proud beauty! Ahoy! This was goin' t' be me son's first 3-stage model and he wanted it done in fluorescent Green, ya bilge rat, matey, so we used the Krylon brand for this paint scheme. Ahoy! T' lower half o' t' Sustainer and second stage were done in t' green, while t' booster and upper sustainer were finished with White. A piece o' Chrome Monokote self-stick strip was cut to blend t' transition and worked well. It looked pretty good and we were pleased with t' results.

Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5

Flight:
We waited until NARAM 45 before launchin' t' Nomad - we needed a lot o' field and spotters, ya bilge rat, we knew they would have both. Well, blow me down! While there, we met with Jim Flis and he seemed pleased with our model and noted this would be t' first one outside his demo he would see launch. Well, matey, he donated a C11-0 for t' 1st stage booster as we forget t' get some, then we used a C6-0 for t' 2nd stage and a C6-7 for t' sustainer. Begad! T' model was set on t' pad and me son Thomas hooked up t' leads. Arrr! It was time t' launch.

When t' button was pushed, me bucko, shiver me timbers, t' C11 immediately lit, easily liftin' this long and graceful lookin' model in t' air. Begad! T' 2nd stage booster ignited and Chris Taylor, arrr, I believe, got a great shot o' t' separation. Finally, t' 3rd stage lit, but we could nay see t' second stage booster freefall. Blimey! Avast, me proud beauty! T' motor appeared t' kick out though, me hearties, which was good for us as it meant t' 3rd stage was under power. Ya scallywag! Begad! It did nay achieve as high an altitude as we expected, me bucko, ya bilge rat, but the ejection charge did fire on time.

Recovery:
T' model ejected dual streamers at apogee and began it's decent t' t' ground. It landed safely, matey, arrr, ya bilge rat, comin' down sideways like a competition model and landing softly on t' grass, nay 75 feet from t' pads. Aye aye! Arrr! Thomas be t' first thar and we unfortunately found t' second stage. Arrr! It was still attached t' t' 3rd stage sustainer and had just kicked out t' motor - me fault for nay friction fitting the motor. Begad! Begad! Needless t' say, matey, me bucko, t' 2nd stage be a bit toasty from t' 3rd stage burn through and emotions were torn; we were both ecstatic t' fly our first 3-stage model, me bucko, but a bit disappointed with t' results, matey, thanks t' me mistake. Jim Flis loved t' entire flight and said he would mail parts t' repair t' 2nd stage booster, me hearties, which he promptly did and they actually arrived 3 business days after NARAM 45 - THAT is customer service!!!

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:
T' Nomad is a very cool and unique model, somewhat challengin' t' build but not extremely difficult. Well, blow me down! It does assemble well and flies as good as it looks - a real treat t' see t' peoples faces when that 3rd stage, arrr, they didn't know about, kicks in! There were absolutely no glitches in construction; it was very straight forward and well documented. Moreover, t' flight characteristics make it a must have model for your silo. Aye aye! I highly recommend t' FlisKits Nomad 3-Stage Model Rocket, shiver me timbers, one o' t' coolest models on t' market t' date - bar none!

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5